Football: Former Mosgiel striker signs to play for Burnley

Former Mosgiel striker Cameron Howieson has signed
professional forms with the Burnley club in the United Kingdom
although bigger clubs may await.

Howieson, who was born in Dunedin and played all his football
for the Mosgiel club, moved to the United Kingdom last year
and had signed on as an apprentice with The Championship
club.

But he has been so impressive with the youth team he has
signed a two-year professional deal, through to the middle of
2014, with Burnley.

Howieson (17) is an attacking midfielder who has played for
the New Zealand under-17 side in the past couple of years.

He was a pupil at the Asia Pacific Football Academy, located
in Lincoln, which helps develop players' skills with the hope
they can go on to a professional career.

Howieson was educated at Otago Boys' High School for two
years before he departed for the academy outside
Christchurch.

Mosgiel coach and Otago Boys' High School teacher Mike
McGarry said Howieson was a talented player with a plenty of
skill.

He played on the left-hand side and played Fletcher Cup
football for Mosgiel when just 15.

He transferred to the academy in Christchurch in 2010, and
picked up an apprenticeship with Burnley after an impressive
performance for the New Zealand team at the Under-17 World
Cup last year in Mexico.

Howieson has made rapid progress since signing with Burnley.

The club is in The Championship, one level below the English
Premier League. It was in the Premier League in 2009-10, but
was relegated after just one season.

The youth side Howieson plays for has notched some impressive
results and made it through to the semifinals of the FA Youth
Cup, before losing 3-1 on aggregate to Blackburn Rovers.

Howieson was signed on last week and has warmed up with the
first team although he has yet to make the final playing
squad.

But that debut may not be far away.

Burnley won its most recent game 5-1 against Portsmouth and
sits in 16th position in the league but is out of relegation
danger.

The team was to play Birmingham City this morning.

Burnley manager Eddie Howe told the Burnley Express he had
been impressed with the talent on display in the club's youth
team and was looking at bringing a few of them through to the
first team before the end of the season.

It has also been reported Howieson has become a target for
Premiership heavyweights Liverpool and Newcastle, but nothing
has been confirmed.

Howieson's parents no longer live in Dunedin. His father Dave
has moved to his native United Kingdom to support his son.

McGarry said Howieson's progress showed how there was now a
legitimate way ahead for promising players.

"With this academy he went to and others and the whole of
football plan set up by New Zealand football it is showing
there is a pathway out there for good players," McGarry said.

McGarry's son, James, is a pupil at the Asia Pacific Football
Academy this year.